Out For Abbreviated XCAT Worlds, Maritimo Committed To Defending Title In 2022

Absent from the shortened 2021 Union Internationale Motonautique XCAT World Championship season finishing up this weekend in Dubai, the Australia-based Maritimo Racing team—with its new cockpit pairing of Australian Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen of Sweden—remains committed to running next year in the cockpit of their 32-foot catamaran. Transportation issues prevented the team from making the trek to the Middle East.

Maritimo Racing is committed to defending its 2019 XCAT World Championship title next year. Photo courtesy/copyright Paul Wilson.

According to a press release from the team, Maritimo Racing’s catamaran and equipment had been on a waiting list for shipping from Australia to the United Arab Emirates since September. The team had hoped to be there to defend its 2019 XCAT world title, but it wasn’t in the cards.

“Unfortunately, the congestion and lead times in international container shipping did not allow enough time for the equipment to reach the UAE in time for the shortened 2021 World Championship,” said Tom Barry-Cotter of the Maritimo Racing team. “It’s disappointing we aren’t able to be there to defend our title, but we are focused on 2022 and looking forward to resuming racing once again.

“The team is now already looking forward to approach the 2022 world championship as the hunter, rather than the hunted,” he added “We will be watching the front pack in the UAE next week very carefully.”

Maritimo Racing’s Tom Barry-Cotter and Pal Virik Nilsen will be ready to defend the team’s 2019 title when full-season action resumes next year.

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